Before we get into the core of the February Newsletter, I would like
to present some thoughts about the title “February, the Love
Connection.”

How about that title? I’ll bet I raised some thought provoking
memories in you! I know that for many of us, every day is Special
with our Spouse, Significant Other or a Pal. February is always a
little more special with those that we are in love with. ‘Fact is, we
have a special day, February Fourteenth, that also has a special name
- Valentine’s Day!

As your guide and a modern day Eros, I would like to present to you
some history and famous quotes about Valentine’s Day. Then I will
display a brief description of what a 2016, non-Cherub, non-Diaper
Clad, non-Bow-and-Arrow-Shooter, and
non-rider-on-a-Magic-Red-Heart-Carpet might think. But, first some
History:

“Authors, poets and playwrights have been trying to capture love in
words for thousands of years. Their work speaks to the enduring power
of love across the ages of human history. Check out this collection
of quotes about love from some of the world’s most famous romantics,
from Shakespeare, who wrote 154 sonnets dealing with love, time,
beauty and mortality, to famed Chilean poet and diplomat Pablo Neruda.”

“Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.” - Aristotle

“Young love is a flame; very pretty, often very hot and fierce, but
still only light and flickering. The love of the older and disciplined
heart is as coals, deep-burning, unquenchable.” - Henry Ward Beecher

“Age does not protect you from love. But love, to some extent,
protects you from age.” - Anais Nin

“Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other
but in looking outward in the same direction.” - Antoine de Saint,
Exupery

“Love has no desire but to fulfill itself. But if you love and most
needs have desires, let these be your desires; To melt and be like a
running brook that sings its melody to the night. To know the pain of
too much tenderness. To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.” - Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or
even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” - Helen Keller

“Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understand only
because I love. Everything is, everything exists, only because I
love.” - Leo Tolstoy

“Love is like quicksilver in the hand. Leave the fingers open and it
stays. Clutch it, and it darts away.” - Dorothy Parker

“I have learned not to worry about love; but to honor its coming with
all my heart.” - Alice Walker

“I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you
straight forwardly, without complexities or pride; so I love you
because I know no other way than this: where I does not exist nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand, so close that your
eyes close as I fall asleep.” - Pablo Neruda, Love Sonnet XVII.”

I know that Helen Keller, Lao Tzu, Zora Neale Hurston, Alice Walker,
Aristotle and me could hang out together and have some great times. I
take my position as a modern day Cupid very seriously, well maybe just
a little “tongue in cheek.” My selection of words in the “Love Arena”
are my baker’s dozen. I don’t plan on challenging any of the great
authors, poets, playwrights, or romantics above, but if they were
available, I probably would offer them a donut.

• Times change, avoid Mirrors, Love is always Waiting.
• Be Civil to each other, No One ever Wins a Shouting Match.
• Don’t get upset over what Was, Laugh and Smile about what Is.
• Hugs and Kisses go together, Keep it that way.
• If you are Wrong, check with your Pets, they will let you Know.
• Spooning will bring you Closer together and keep you Warm.
• Holding Hands keeps that sense of Touch Alive.
• A Soft Kiss in the Neck region, is like 4th of July in February.
• Take a Trip that you Both will achieve great Memories.
• Don’t Ever take your Relationship for Granted...it can Crumble.
• Love - don’t ever let it Disappear, keep it Strong in Your
Eyes.
• Enjoy Every day, doing Something Together, even just a Smile.
• Always Remember: Here today - Gone tomorrow: if You have something
to Say, Don’t put it Off ‘till another Day - SAY I LOVE YOU!

Hooah, Hugs, & “February, The
Love Connection,” Bob

Now to the body of your February Newsletter.

First, I hope that none of you got slammed by Jonas, that super cell
that hit the east and southeast! My son, Mike, (northeast Virginia),
and my daughter, Stevie (southern Virginia), both got some bad
weather. Mike received the worst though, well over 20 inches of snow,
(before drifts). Mike and his Family live just to the west of the
D.C. area.

Anyone in the Class have a rough time with the weather? How about the
rainy weather in California, Oregon, and Washington? I hope all are
OK! I would like to tell you it has been great here in Las Vegas, and
you all need to come for a visit; but, we have had a lot of cool
weather, by our standards. It has been in the mid to low 30°’s
at night and in the high 40°’s
to mid 50°’s
during the day.
OK, I will quit whining, before I know it, I will be complaining about
the heat! My thoughts and prayers are with you all, especially those
that had too much of Jonas in the east and those with too much rain in
the west. Take care.

We have had a few Connections and Reconnections as you will note, with
the contributions of Articles from some new names.

The Bucket List Challenge had a great one this month! Maryann (Maskevich)
Flanagan sent me a note that started with “having a different
Christmas this year”...wait until you hear this one. . .

“My Christmas gift from Bill (my husband) was a 2 week journey to the
Holy Land where I actually spent Christmas in Bethlehem. Our
Christmas Eve mass was at the Chapel of the Angels in The Shepard’s
Field. It was a thrilling time for me, this trip was #1 on my Bucket
List and I was pleased to be able to go. On the other hand, this was
not on Bill’s list so I gave him a 2001 Mazda Miata convertible. He
enjoys going topless when the days are sunny and very warm.”

Steve Hanleigh or anyone else out there, think they can beat this
one... anyone? Please contact me, and we will let the Classmates
settle this one.

The “Who Said That?” The quote for January was: “If you’re riding
ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure
it’s still there.” The Answer was Will Rogers and
Bruce Ahlvin was the Winner for January... I’m sure Judy helped him!

“Who Said That?” for February is going to be a little different. You
will have a famous MOVIE QUOTE that you will have to be the first in
with two correct items - Name of Movie and the Name of the Actor that
said the quote. We will start with an easy one:

“What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate.”

We have some great Articles that were contributed for the month of
February. Are you ready? Well then, let’s get this Newsletter open
and start enjoying the simple things in Life.

PS: Once again, thank you to all Classmates, family, and friends who
have sent in an article(s), personal subject matter, questions,
experience, or just wanting to express some thoughts. This is what
keeps the Newsletter coming out monthly... Your time and energy to
keep our Classmates connected or reconnected! What you donate assists
many of our Classmates. We are a lot more alike than you think! Hooah,
hugs, and enjoy the month of LOVE. We will talk again in March.